CAL Section 6: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL

Section 6: Zig Zag Double String

Wow!  Is your summer flying by fast like mine?  Can you believe that you're just about 1/2 way finished with a full sized afghan?  I am so glad you decided to join me!

This week, I'm introducing you to the last new stitch in our A Zig and A Zag crochet - a - long.  This is the Zig Zag Double String stitch and it's another quick one to work.  I chose to work my section in a single color.  It would be great in different colors too, so have fun with it and be creative!  After this section, you are welcome to complete your project on your own with the stitches we've learned to make it completely your own OR you can continue to join me each week as we work the sections back to the beginning to have a balanced afghan.  

If you're just joining us and would like to start your own project, you can find all the details in the beginning post HERE: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

Give yourself a pat on the back for all your hard work to this point, grab your yarn and crochet hook and let's enjoy this new stitch together.  

Stitches/Abbreviations

ch - chain
st(s) - stitch(es)
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
RS - right side
WS - wrong side

CAL Section 5: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag Afghan CAL

Section 5: Pebbles crochet stitch

Can you believe that we're already on week 5?  I hope you have enjoyed the crochet stitches so far!  This week, we're going to add some texture to our afghans by using a simple combination of treble and single crochets. 

Pebbles 

If you are just joining us, you can find the beginning of this CAL HERE:  http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

Stitches/Abbreviations:

ch - chain

st(s) - stitch(es)

sc - single crochet

hdc - half double crochet

dc - double crochet

tr - treble crochet

WS - Wrong Side

RS - Right Side

CAL Section 4: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag Afghan Crochet-A-Long

Section 4: Triangle Mesh crochet stitch

A Zig and A Zag Afghan  

Welcome back!  I hope you all had a wonderful week filled with lots of yarn and crochet time.  This week we will be adding the Triangle Mesh crochet stitch to our afghan. This stitch is a quick one to work up since it's more open than the others we've worked.

If you are just joining us, you can find the beginning of this CAL HERE:  http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

Stitches/Abbreviations:

ch - chain

st(s) - stitch(es)

sc - single crochet

hdc - half double crochet

dc - double crochet

tr - treble crochet

WS - Wrong Side

RS - Right Side

CAL Section 3: Wave and Chevron Crochet Stitch

Wave & Chevron Crochet Stitch

A Zig and A Zag CAL week #3

Welcome to week 3 everyone!  I hope you had as much fun with the Brick Stitch as I do when working it.  It's kind of an addicting stitch!  Thank you to all those who are sharing your progress photos with me on Facebook and in projects on Ravelry.  The colors you've chosen are all looking great!

A Zig and A Zag CAL Section #3 - Wave & Chevron stitch

This week, we'll learn the Wave & Chevron stitch.  This stitch can form a couple of different looks when switching colors on different rows.  I wanted to show a simple chevron by using a darker color on the smaller stitch rows.  If you were to continue working more rows of this stitch on a different project, you could have a really fun wavy pattern by switching colors on different rows.  

Let's get started hooking!If you're just finding this CAL and would like to join, you can find all the details HERE in the very first post: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

CAL Section Two: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

Welcome to week 2 of the "A Zig and A Zag" Afghan CAL.  I hope you had fun learning and working the Zig Zag stitch from section. If you're just finding this CAL and would like to join, you can find all the details HERE in the very first post: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html


This week, we're going to work one of my favorite stitches to work.  I learned this as the "Brick Stitch" when I was young though I've seen it called by other names.  Because of the slant of this stitch, it makes a fun ziggy zaggy design when working multiple colors. 
This is also the stitch used for C2C afghans so you may have already worked this stitch but we are going to work it in straight rows for this design.  

Are you ready to have some fun with more color?  Grab your hook and yarn and let's get stitching!!!

CAL Section One: A Zig and A Zag Afghan

A Zig and A Zag CAL Section One

Welcome to the "A Zig and A Zag" Afghan CAL and thanks for joining me!  This week (June 19-24, 2017) we will be working on the first section of our afghan.  This section is 7 rows and we use the "Zig Zag" crochet stitch.  

If you're just seeing this post and want to join, you can find the details & schedule on the first post found HERE: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-zig-and-zag-afghan-crochet-long.html

(c) 2017 Copyright by Kate Wagstaff of Crafting Friends Designs

Notes:

1. Beginning ch 2 does not count as a hdc
2. Photos showing stitch placement are referenced as P1, P2, P3 etc.
3. When changing colors, do so in the last step of the last stitch of the row before the color change
4. This afghan is set up as a stitch sampler style and sections can be worked in any order to create your own personal style.  If switching up the sections, be sure to start the color sections as noted for Right Side and Wrong sides for best results.  This means you may need to add an extra row of hdc in order to keep the colorwork on the correct side.

Stitches/Abbreviations:
st(s) - stitch(es),    ch - chain,     YO - yarn over,  sc - single crochet, hdc - half double crochet, dc - double crochet,  tr - treble crochet,  dtr - double treble crochet, RS - right side, WS - wrong side   

Foundation Chain: If you’re unfamiliar with how to work foundation chains, this photo tutorial may help http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2014/12/hdc-chainless-foundation.html

Double Treble (dtr): YO 3x, insert hook in indicated st, yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), (YO and pull through 2 loops on hook)4x

3-dtr Cluster (uses 1 st): *YO 3x, insert hook in indicated st, YO and pull up a loop, (YO and pull through 2 loops on hook)3x* repeat from *to* 2x (see P1), YO and pull through all 4 loops on hook

P1. 3-dtr Cluster

Double 3-dtr Cluster(uses 6 sts): *[YO 3x, insert hook in same st as last st made, YO and pull up a loop, (YO and pull through 2 loops on hook)3x], repeat from [to] 2 x, (4 loops on hook), YO 3x, skip next 5 sts, insert hook in next st, YO and pull up a loop, (YO and pull through 2 loops on hook)3x (5 loops on hook), repeat from [to] 2x (see P2), YO and pull through all 7 loops on hook (see P3)

P2. double 3-dtr Cluster

P3. double 3-dtr Cluster complete

A Zig and A Zag Afghan Crochet - A - Long

Have you ever wanted to make an afghan that has the chevron look but not the chevron ends?  I thought it would be fun to do a stitch sampler style CAL so you can learn a few new zig zag stitches that are worked back into straight rows allowing you to mix and match patterns and be able to create your own fun blanket.

Beginning June 19th, I will post 1 section each Monday to work on throughout the week.  There are 13 sections plus a border with fringe and each section has 6 to 8 rows.  This will help you to be able to work at your own pace during the week whether it's all at once or 1 row each night.  If you'd like the full pattern now, an ad free version is available for purchase on Ravelry HERE: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-zig-and-a-zag-afghan-cal

The schedule is as follows: 
Tuesday 6/13: Supplies list and basic stitch information (listed below)


Monday 6/19: Section 1  is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/cal-section-one-zig-and-zag-afghan.html


Monday 6/26: Section 2 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/06/cal-section-two-zig-and-zag-afghan.html
 
Monday 7/3: Section 3 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/07/cal-section-3-wave-and-chevron-crochet.html

Monday 7/10: Section 4 is available here: https://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/07/cal-section-4-zig-and-zag-afghan.html

Monday 7/17: Section 5 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/07/cal-section-5-zig-and-zag-afghan.html

Monday 7/24: Section 6 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/07/cal-section-6-zig-and-zag-afghan.html

This completes the special stitch instructions. You may choose to finish your afghan in any order you choose to customize it to your preferred style OR continue with the CAL for instructions to complete the afghan as shown in the photos 
Monday 7/31: Section 7 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/07/cal-section-7-zig-and-zag-afghan.html


Monday 8/7: Section 8 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/08/cal-section-8-zig-and-zag-afghan.html


Monday 8/14: Section 9 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/08/cal-section-9-zig-and-zag-afghan.html


Monday 8/21: Section 10 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/08/cal-section-10-zig-and-zag-afghan.html

 
Monday 8/28: Section 11 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/08/cal-section-11-zig-and-zag-afghan.html

 
Monday 9/4: Section 12 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/09/cal-section-12-zig-and-zag-afghan.html


Monday 9/11: Section 13 is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/09/cal-section-13-zig-and-zag-afghan.html


Monday 9/18: Border/Fringe is available here: http://craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com/2017/09/cal-border-and-fringe-zig-and-zag-afghan.html

Skill Level: Easy

Beautiful New Braided Cable Block Collection for a Wedding Gift

Over the first few weeks of April, I held a Mystery Crochet-A-Long for my new afghan design.  I've really enjoyed seeing all the WIP photos that everyone has posted on Ravelry and in my Facebook group!  It's always fun to see the colors that others choose to use and how they turn out.  

Braided Cable Block crochet pattern collection

I'm thrilled to finally be able to show you the entire Braided Cable Block collection!  My nephew will be getting married next week and I wanted to design something specifically for them.  I wanted clean, classic, elegant and something meaningful that they will both appreciate.  I chose to use Deborah Norville Everyday yarn in an off white for that reason.  I love the way the braids just flow with this color and the yarn itself is soft and is anti-pilling which is great.  

This collection includes 4 different designs and 7 patterns:

Braided Cable Block Throw

The Braided Cable Block Throw will add warmth and texture to any room.  This pattern is written so you can easily work it to your own desired size.  Easy and quick to work up, you could make a small one for Baby Shower gifts, throw size to place on a rocking chair or large enough to cover a king size bed.  

The Braided Cable Block Bolster Pillow cover is open on both ends for easy removal allowing you to switch out colors and styles for any room.  This design is worked around the pillow and closes with ties.  It also includes instructions for making your own pillow base if you don't already have a bolster pillow.

Braided Cable Block Bolster Pillow

Braided Cable Block Square Pillow

The Braided Cable Block Square Pillow cover is worked from the bottom up and closes with a flap and 3 buttons for easy removal.  This pattern includes instructions for making your own pillow base also.













The Braided Cable Block Rectangle Pillow cover is worked from side to side allowing the cables to run the length of the pillow.  Closing along the length with 3 buttons allows for easy removal and cleaning.  This pattern includes instructions for making your own pillow base too.

Whether you're making this set as a gift or spoiling yourself and making it for your own home, it's sure to be enjoyed!

Now through May 2, 2017 you can enjoy 50% off all individual patterns or $5 off the full collection on Ravelry.  No codes needed.  

Come join our Mystery Crochet-A-Long for April!

Are you ready for a Mystery Crochet-A-Long?

I'ts been a while since we've crocheted together!  I am just finishing up another beautiful home decor collection and thought it would be fun to do a crochet along with all of you.  I can't tell you to much about the design or it would take the mystery out of it...BUT...I think you'll love it.  

New Rings of Ribbon Spring Afghan Release and BOS Blog Hop

Battle of the Stitches Round 13

Woot Woot!  I'm so excited to finally be able to show you the design I've been working on for the Battle of the Stitches round 13 crochet challenge.  If you're following along in the blog hop with all of us, you should be joining me from Kaleidoscope Art & Gift's blog and have already seen and voted for your favorites out of these 6 designs.  

If you're seeing this because you follow my blog, you'll want to click HERE to start at the beginning.  There are a bunch of fun new designs using this same stitch, you get to vote for your favorites AND you can enter to win various prizes along the way!  Be sure to follow through all 10 blog posts so you don't miss out on the big prizes at the end.

So, are you ready to see what I designed?